In the global world in which we live, the ability to communicate with each other is vital. With English recognized as a global language, and an increasing number of people wanting to learn English, there is a growing need for teachers of English as a second language.
Teaching English as a Second Language in the U.S.
The U.S. is a nation famously built on immigration, welcoming people from all cultures and speaking all languages. This legacy continues today: 33% of children in the U.S. live in a household in which a language other than English is spoken. To ensure that these children get the very best that the American education system has to offer, their English language proficiency must be maximized. Doing this enables bilingual children to fully participate in the American school system, gaining the best education possible and going on to live productive and fulfilling lives.
Do you want to teach English as a Second Language? ESL certificates are widely available as additional courses as part of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. As well as being a perfect complement to a more general education degree, you can choose to focus on this essential niche of the teaching profession. With school districts struggling to fill ESL job openings, the demand is high for ESL teachers; you are unlikely to be out of a job should you chose to specialize in this area of teaching. As well as teaching children, an ESL certificate provides broader opportunities for branching out into teaching English as a Second Language to adults.
Teaching English as a Second Language abroad
If you have the desire to travel the world but lack the funds to do so, teaching English abroad is the ideal way to facilitate this. By earning a wage, you can fully enjoy the experience of living in your host country without feeling guilty about spending money and save up for more travels. With English being a global language, you are not tied to one area—you can follow a contract in Columbia with a contract in China! There are many schemes available for you to apply to, with the requirements being that you have native English fluency and an ESL certificate. Contracts are usually available for six months or 12 months, allowing you to tailor your teaching depending on your desire to be aware from home, or your travel schedule. When you eventually return home, the experience you have built up teaching abroad can be used to pursue a career teaching English as a Second Language to bilingual children in the U.S.
Despite being the teacher, you will find that you learn a tremendous amount when teaching English as a second language abroad. From cultural differences in daily life to phrases in that country’s own language, you will return to the U.S. with a greater appreciation of life at home and abroad, and the conviction that there is more to unite us than divide.
